Government Excellence Awards, Ferrari World launch postponed

Following the demise of His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, a decision has been made to postpone the ceremony for the UAE Government Excellence Awards that was due to take place at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi today.

While most hotels are still waiting for an official word for the government to take action, others have already postponed their events during this national mourning period.

Tonight’s major attraction is the grand opening of the world’s largest indoor theme park, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi on Yas Island. Official word from the organisers to Emirates 24|7 was that a media event was still going ahead as planned, but that a public event would be delayed. Ferrari World, the world's largest indoor theme park, had been expecting up to 10,000 people on its first day of opening.Park officials later confirmed it would now open at 12 noon on November 4.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation has announced the cancellation of the charity concert Salam Ya Quds scheduled for Thursday.

Ticketholders who have purchased through TimeOutTickets.com will be offered the options of either receiving a full refund or donating the cost of tickets purchased to the charity A Child A Promise in aid of the children of Palestine. Tickets purchased from Emirates Palace are requested to visit the Salam Ya Quds ticket desk today and tommorow between 3pm and 7pm.

BurJuman Centre has also gone ahead and postponed Friday’s Pink Walkathon to November 5. In an official statement, the organisers said: “…The BurJuman Pink Walkathon, which was scheduled on October 29 at 8am will now take place on Friday, November 5. Registered participants can call BurJuman for any queries.”

When quizzed if the live entertainment at the event, which included a performance by famed Robbie Williams impersonator, Rob Idol, no confirmation was forthcoming at the time.

Also postponed is an Arabic comedy night on Thursday with home-grown comic Wonho Chung. Organisers Dubai Cares said the move was a mark of respect, adding that details on redeeming tickets and new dates would be communicated to the public as soon as they had been decided.

Festivals

With the Indian festival of Diwali next weekend, Enigma Events has also confirmed that their highly anticipated Diwali Bazaar at Zen Restaurant, Zabeel Park on Saturday, from 11am to 9pm will still go ahead as planned, unless informed otherwise.

Managing Director Nitasha Mulani said: “We are an official Dubai Summer Surprises event and we have not been informed otherwise.

“This will be a major event with nearly 60 exhibitors selling clothes, jewellery and confectionary in time for Diwali next weekend. We also have live performances by DJ Jeffs, Shadow, Hani and Neo, with the event hosted by local comedian Nitin Mirani, along with Ria Andy and Caiyad Phahad. We organizing the event mainly to create awareness and money for the Lupus Awareness Group.”

As All Hollow’s Eve or Halloween falls on October 31, all the major hotels in the city have also organised special events to celebrate the fright night with masquerade parties and live performances by international acts.

Local heavy metal band Nervecell is still on schedule to perform at Club Submarine, Dhow Palace Hotel on Halloween night. Other bands performing the same evening are Smouldering in Forgotten from Bahrain, Perversion from Dubai and DJ Storm. When Emirates 24|7 called Spellbind Records, they said unless told otherwise, the event will still go ahead as planned.

Local favourite haunt, Boudoir at Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa has also announced that its Halloween Fright Night will go ahead with Paris’ number one DJ Snake taking to the decks as planned. Club manager, Charlie Weaving, said: “At this moment, no official circular has been sent to the hotel so we are still hosting the event.”

But a costume ball at Caramel Restaurant and Lounge in Dubai on Sunday has been cancelled. “Due to the sad demise of His Highness Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah the DIFC has announced that no music is to be played for the next 7 days. Therefore, the Caramel Halloween Party has been cancelled,” organisers said in a statement. (With inputs by Keith J Fernandez)

If you know of any events being cancelled or going ahead as planned, please email us on emiratesedit@gmail.com
 
 
 

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